Nursing Students Celebrate International Women’s Day 2017

By Dr. Sonia R.B. D'Souza Udupi Today Media Network

Udupi, 10 March 2017: The faculty members and II year M.Sc Nursing students of Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecological Nursing, Manipal College of Nursing Manipal, Manipal University celebrated International Women’s Day 2017 on 8 March 2017. They came forward to celebrate the campaign theme ‘Be Bold For Change’ in collaboration with Junior Chamber International (JCI), JCrt wing- JCI Kallianpura and Women’s Cell, Milagres College, Kallianpura.

Various activities were planned to be conducted from 8 March to 10 March 2017.

Poster competition:

The poster competition was held for faculty members and students of constituent institutions of Manipal University on 8 March 2017 from 9 am to 12 pm in the ground floor of Keshav Bhandarkar Women & Child Health Block, Kasturba Hospital, Manipal on the theme ‘Women’s Health Issues’. The health issues of women like Infertility, Breast Cancer, Cervical Cancer, Osteoporosis, Depression and Heart Disease were chosen as important health issues to be focused on. About 35 posters were displayed, which were very informative.

Pledge for parity

Everyone - men and women - can pledge to take a concrete step to help achieve gender parity. Therefore, on the occasion of International Women’s Day, the organizers took an initiative to call for gender-balanced leadership, respect and root out workplace bias. Dr. Anice George, Dean, Manipal College of Nursing and Dr. Muralidhar V Pai, Professor and HoD, Department of OBG, Kasturba Medical College inaugurated the Pledge For Parity on 8 March 2017 at 9 am. All students, faculty members and staff took this opportunity to pledge for gender parity and take a bold step towards making a positive change for women in their lives.

Celebration of the International Women’s Day 2017

The Department of Obstetrics and Gynecological Nursing, Manipal College of Nursing Manipal along with Jcrt Wing JCI Kallianapura and Women’s Cell, Milagres College, Kallianapura celebrated the International Women’s Day 2107 on 8 March 2017 at 2.30pm. The programme was inaugurated by the dignitaries by lighting the traditional lamp. Jcrt Devika Prashanth, the chairperson of Jcrt Wing welcomed the gathering.

The Guest of Honour of the programme, Dr. Muralidhar V Pai shed light on the theme “Be Bold for change”. He spoke on how women were biologically stronger and have greater endurance compared to men. He also told that no one can bring change for women, not even politics, but it is every woman’s responsibility to bring change. Dr. Anice George spoke on how International Women’s Day celebrations began and also elaborated on the meaning of the theme. She focused on main campaigning themes i.e., challenges against bias and equality between genders, taking a bold step for change against abuse, encouraging women’s advancement, celebrating women’s achievement and campaigning women’s education. Dr. Gerald Pinto thanked constituent institutions of Manipal University for supporting many activities in Milagres College. JCrt Devika shared her views on celebration of International Women’s day and reiterated that women have the right to be loved and cared every day, not only on 8 March 2017. Dr. Judith A Noronha proposed the vote of thanks.

Awareness on Priority Health Problems in Indian women on 8 March 2017

Dr Muralidhar V Pai, the speaker for the day displayed an award winning video on “Save the Girl Child” and then focused on the “Priority Health Problems in Indian women”. The health problems he deliberated were nutritional related problems, reproductive health issues, infectious diseases, malignancies and problems of aging. His talk focused on risk factors, causes and prevention of health problems in women and the necessity to educate women regarding the same. He was felicitated by JFD Prashanth Acharya.

Awareness on Women’s Social issues on 10 March 2017

Another awareness program on women’s social issues is planned to be held on 10 March 2017 at Milagres College, Kallianpur. Mrs Ida D’Souza, Assistant Professor- Selection grade, Department of Public Health, Manipal University, Manipal will speak on “Women Social Issues like Gender equality, Sexual harassment and Domestic violence”